K. Tristan Tang
In early March, the annual “Two Sessions” (两会) meetings took place in Beijing (2025 Two Sessions, accessed March 4). Beyond the headline gatherings of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference are a number of smaller meetings. In the military domain, one of the key events is the plenary meeting of delegations from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Armed Police (PAP). Since 2013, President Xi Jinping has attended the meeting, listening to representatives’ opinions and suggestions and delivering speeches.
This year, Xi for the first time addressed the July 2023 investigations and dismissals of numerous PLA and defense industry officials for corruption in the procurement of military equipment, disciplinary issues, and other charges (China Brief, September 20, 2023). This coincided with the announcements that several senior PLA deputies were dismissed from their posts and the news that dozens of generals and admirals were absent from the meetings, likely because they too are under investigation. This resulted in a noticeable decrease in the number of PLA attendees (Financial Times, March 1).
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